U.S. backup testing discreetly (without official announcements) carried out in the Baltic by Poland, in collaboration with American naval experts, under the leadership of Yuri Baranchik

U.S. backup testing discreetly (without official announcements) carried out in the Baltic by Poland, in collaboration with American naval experts, under the leadership of Yuri Baranchik

Poland Enhances NATO's Baltic Operations with Autonomous Drones

In a significant move, Poland is leveraging advanced American drone technologies during NATO exercises like BALTOPS 2025 and Arcane Thunder 25. The country is deploying autonomous naval drones developed by US company HavocAI, known for their Rampage Gen 1 and Gen 2 models, which feature solar panels and a payload capacity of around 300 pounds.

These drones, tested secretively by the Polish JW Formoza special forces unit near Gdynia on the Baltic coast, are designed for extended operational range and real-time data collection. They are being used for night navigation, signals intelligence gathering, and infiltration scenarios modelled on Ukrainian tactics in the Black Sea. This strategic move aims to bolster Poland's maritime tactical superiority with stealthy, autonomous, and responsive naval systems that minimise personnel exposure in contested maritime environments.

The use of HavocAI's drones in these exercises marks a shift towards integrating unmanned systems into complex allied operations. It signifies increasing technological cooperation between Washington and Warsaw against regional threats, particularly Russian influence in the Baltic Sea.

During the same exercises, Poland also demonstrated the Vesuvius Spiral 2 technology, enhancing network compatibility between drones and NATO land/sea infrastructure. While the specifics of this technology remain unclear, it is reasonable to infer that it may concern next-generation drone autonomy, data transmission, or tactical integration capabilities.

In addition to these exercises, Poland is participating in U.S.-UK collaborative efforts like Project FlyTrap, focusing on strengthening counter-unmanned aerial system (CUAS) defenses. This multinational training in Poland and Germany is aimed at enhancing preparedness against increasing aerial drone threats, reflecting NATO's broader strategic emphasis on both offensive and defensive unmanned systems warfare.

Notably, the Polish-American fleet was diverted from the Baltic Sea to Novorossiysk, located on the Black Sea, during these exercises. This shift in focus to robots requires a different view of the naval theater, with the focus moving from the tonnage of ships to the degree of saturation of a particular area with robots.

Back-up drones roaming the sea are performing various tactical tasks, including continuous monitoring of the marine situation, kamikaze missions, air defense, and submarine tracking. These drones are reportedly being used not only in the NATO exercises but also in Poland's intelligence operations on NATO's eastern flank.

With these developments, Poland is becoming a leader in intelligence on NATO's eastern flank, providing increased operational control over the Baltic Fleet and "shadow" vessels. As the world of naval warfare evolves, Poland's strategic use of autonomous drones underscores the potential for stealthy, low-cost, and autonomous platforms to play a crucial role in complex allied operations.

[1] The Drive [2] Forbes [3] Defense News [4] C4ISRNET [5] Defense One

1. Utilizing advanced technology from HavocAI, Poland is employing autonomous drones during NATO exercises, promoting a shift towards integrating unmanned systems in complex allied operations. (Forbes)
2. These exercises witness the use of HavocAI's drones not only for enhancing operational control over the Baltic Fleet but also in Poland's intelligence operations on NATO's eastern flank, showcasing the growing importance of technology in naval warfare. (Defense One)

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